Sunderland boss Poyet delighted with goalscorer Bardsley

Bardsley, of course, came close to leaving the club during the summer after falling out with former manager Paolo Di Canio, but Poyet insisted he never had any qualms about bringing him back in from the cold.

He said: "I'm not sure if it was a risk. As soon as I arrived, I saw him train. I saw how important he could be for us and the way he was training and wanting to play in friendlies behind closed doors.

"It's not something I analysed too much. He is part of the club, he is under contract and if he is good enough, he will play."